Kitten Season Arrives With a Flurry of New Arrivals at Animal Centre

Whakatāne SPCA animal attendant Gemma Cahill is urging the community to help break the cycle of unwanted kittens as the annual kitten season begins, with the local animal centre already seeing a surge in arrivals.

Kitten season has arrived, and for Cahill and her team, that means months of round-the-clock care and plenty of new arrivals.

After a later-than-usual start this year, the centre is already caring for four mother cats and their litters, with another two or three mums expected to give birth soon.

Cahill, who has worked at the centre for around seven years, said warmer weather tends to increase the number of cats giving birth, with more kittens expected over the coming months.

“It definitely keeps us busy, that’s for sure,” she said.

The kittens can arrive from some unusual locations, with mother cats seeking out what they believe are safe places to give birth.

Cahill recalls being called to a property in the Ōpōtiki area to retrieve kittens born underneath a house.

The mother cat had tucked her babies away safely, but getting to them proved challenging.

“She sort of led me to them and was purring, so I just followed her purr and grabbed them,” Cahill said.

Other unexpected birthing locations have included a chicken coop and even a child’s bedroom.

“They just try and find somewhere safe, but it can be in all sorts of strange places,” she said.

While the arrivals are part of the natural cycle of kitten season, Cahill said the number of unwanted litters highlights the importance of desexing cats.

One particularly upsetting incident occurred recently when staff arrived to find a cardboard box containing 12 kittens left outside the centre.

The kittens belonged to three separate litters and ranged in age from newborns with their eyes still closed to slightly older babies.

Without their mothers, the youngest kittens faced an uncertain future.

Those with their eyes closed require feeding approximately every two hours, meaning staff would have needed to arrange dedicated neonatal foster carers or find mother cats willing to take them on.

“Little ones with their eyes closed would need feeding every two hours,” Cahill said.

Fortunately, two mother cats already at the centre accepted three additional kittens each, immediately beginning to clean and care for their new arrivals.

Cahill said it was a fantastic outcome for the kittens, as nothing can quite replace the care provided by a mother cat.

“We do our best when we have neonatal fosterers, but it's nothing like what a mum can give to them,” she said.

However, she said leaving kittens in a cardboard box outside is far from ideal.

They can become cold, hungry or wet, and there is always the risk they could be harmed before staff discover them.

“We understand that people either just want them safe or don’t want the problem of having the kittens around when they get older,” she said.

“But we’d love to help as well, just getting to the root of that cause and desexing the mums before they give birth.”

The centre is encouraging anyone struggling with unwanted kittens or an unplanned litter to come in during opening hours and talk to staff rather than leaving animals outside.

Cahill said free desexing vouchers are available for cats, helping owners prevent further unwanted litters.

“Get them done, stop the cycle.”

With the Christmas and summer holiday period approaching, Cahill also has a message for anyone considering giving a pet as a present.

While it does occasionally happen, the centre wants to ensure the person receiving the animal is genuinely prepared for the responsibility.

Staff may allow someone to look at a potential pet before bringing their partner or family member along, but the important thing is making sure everyone is on board.

Pets are a long-term commitment, and Cahill said the last thing anyone wants is for an animal to be returned because its new owner was unprepared.

The centre does accept animals back if an adoption does not work out, particularly within the first two weeks, although longer-term returns depend on available space and individual circumstances.

Cahill also reminds pet owners to think ahead when planning summer holidays.

Cats are individuals, and while some may be comfortable at home for a short period with appropriate food and arrangements, others need considerably more human attention.

“It does really depend on the cat. Some are quite happy if there's food left out; they could go for a couple of nights without you being around. Some are quite needy and need that attention from a human,” she said.

Options such as a cattery or house sitter can provide reassurance for owners and ensure their pets are properly cared for while they are away.

The animal centre’s support extends beyond taking in unwanted and vulnerable animals.

Cahill said the team also has community pet food available for people experiencing financial difficulties.

Anyone struggling to afford food for their pet is encouraged to get in touch, with the centre happy to help where it can.

“We really would love to help the community as much as we can,” she said.

Ultimately, Cahill said the goal is to support animals and their owners, prevent unwanted litters and find loving homes for the many kittens expected to arrive over the coming months.

Last year was particularly busy, with the centre caring for an estimated 40 to 50 kittens by April alone.

“We managed to find everybody a home,” Cahill said.

“It was a busy one, but a good one.”

With kitten season now underway, Cahill urges those who need help to get in touch.

Whether it is an unexpected litter, an animal needing care, help with pet food, or an opportunity to volunteer, the team is keen to support the community.